Markets: A Rigorous Course

M08 · Problem 4 ★★

Homogeneity and the risk-neutral density

(a) Show that the Black–Scholes call price satisfies c(λS,λK)=λc(S,K)c(\lambda S,\lambda K)=\lambda c(S,K) for λ>0\lambda>0, and deduce from Euler's theorem that c=S ∂Sc+K ∂Kcc=S\,\partial_Sc+K\,\partial_Kc. (b) Use (a) and Δc=e−qTN(d1)\Delta_c=e^{-qT}N(d_1) to show ∂Kc=−e−rTN(d2)\partial_Kc=-e^{-rT}N(d_2). (c) Show, for any model in which c(K)=e−rTEQ[(ST−K)+]c(K)=e^{-rT}\mathbb E^{\mathbb Q}[(S_T-K)^+] and STS_T has a density ff under Q\mathbb Q, that ∂Kc=−e−rTQ(ST>K)\partial_Kc=-e^{-rT}\mathbb Q(S_T>K) and ∂K2c=e−rTf(K)\partial_K^2c=e^{-rT}f(K) (Breeden–Litzenberger). What does (c) imply about the sign of a butterfly price?

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